Establish duties: To help households run smoother it is recommended that expectations of the role of the stay-at-home dad be defined. Establish what child-rearing duties should be done each done, who is responsible for the housework and the cooking, and how family roles change over the weekend or in the evenings. There is no right or wrong set-up, it just matters what works for your family.

Figure out your finances: Before a parent decides to become a stay-at-home parent make sure you go through your finances to make sure you can afford to lose a salary. However, when running the numbers, make sure to deduct the money you will be saving in child-care and work-related expenses for the parent who’s staying home.

Take time for yourself: Like any job, you need time away from the office and your work. This can be a little trickier when your home is your office and your work is your child. But be sure to schedule some “me” time to explore your interests, hobbies or just relax.

Establish a routine: To get the most out of each day make sure you set a routine that keeps you organized and on schedule.

Get support: To get support, socialize and maybe even get ideas for you and your kids, seek out other stay-at-home parents in your area to arrange play dates and outings.

Get help when you need it: Stay-at-home parents can’t do it all by themselves. If you need support or help don’t be afraid to ask for it, whether it’s a break from the kids or someone to help with carpool.